PEORIA, Ill. – The Parkside softball program opened its 2025 season in dominant fashion on Friday morning, shutting out Quincy 6-0 and 8-0 at the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria, Illinois.
GAME ONE
Behind a stellar performance from senior pitcher Olivia Masnica and a pair of home runs from Mia Johnson and Reese Valha, the Rangers cruised to victory in their season opener.
Masnica was in control from the start, throwing a complete-game shutout while allowing just four hits and striking out three over seven innings. She also worked around three walks to secure the first win of the season for Parkside.
Johnson led the offensive charge for the Rangers, going 3-for-3 at the plate with four runs scored and two RBIs. She set the tone early with a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give Parkside an early 1-0 lead. Johnson later added another home run in the fourth inning as part of a three-run frame that broke the game open.
Valha provided additional power, belting a solo home run in the sixth inning to extend Parkside's lead to 6-0. She finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Catcher Megan Medlin contributed to the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, while Taylor Utrata and Eden Welling each tallied singles to round out Parkside's six-hit attack.
GAME TWO
Parkside kept the momentum rolling in the second game of Friday's doubleheader, defeating Quincy 8-0 in six innings to complete the sweep in Peoria.
Ellie Curtis made a statement in her first appearance of 2025, tossing a one-hit shutout over six innings. Curtis allowed just two walks and struck out four to secure her first victory of the season.
Parkside's offense stayed hot, led once again by Mia Johnson, who went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a two-run home run in the top of the second inning. Johnson also added two stolen bases, showing her versatility on the basepaths.
The Rangers put up four runs in the second inning, highlighted by Johnson's homer and a two-run single from Toni Rodriguez, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Rylee Baetz and Eden Welling each added RBIs, with Welling going 2-for-2 with two runs scored.
Parkside tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth inning to enforce the run rule, with Rodriguez driving in another run to cap off her impressive performance.
The Rangers drew seven walks and recorded nine hits while taking advantage of one Quincy error to put the game out of reach.
Up Next
The Rangers will now turn their focus to the Rosemont Dome Tournament next weekend. Parkside will open the tournament on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CST against St. Cloud State. Coverage can be accessed at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
